Tasty comfort food recipes for you to try

Comfort foods make such amazing meals because they taste so good and bring back some of the best memories when you take that first bite. One of the best things about comfort foods is that there are no limits when it comes to this tasty meal. So, let’s tuck in!

Chilli mince with vetkoek

There’s nothing like a steaming hot vetkoek to bring back childhood memories of fighting over the last vetkoek with your family members.

(Serves 4–6)

Ingredients

• For the chilli mince:
• 500g beef mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chilli flakes (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp oil

For the Vetkoek:

• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1½ cups warm water
• Oil for deep frying

Method

Vetkoek:

• In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
• Gradually add warm water and mix into soft dough.
• Knead for 10 minutes, then cover and let it rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
• Punch down and divide into small balls.
• Heat oil and deep-fry the balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Chilli mince:

• Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion, garlic, and green pepper.
• Add mince and brown it well.
• Stir in curry powder, paprika, and chilli flakes.
• Add tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Simmer for 15–20 mins until thick.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve: Slice open the vetkoek and stuff with hot chilli mince. Enjoy!

Beef and Vegetable Bunny Chow

It’s hard to eat this tasty comfort meal without being reminded of your first bunny chow. Tearing some bread off, dipping it into the rich meaty stew, you won’t regret giving this filling and flavourful Beef and

Ingredients

 (Serves 4)

• 500g beef stew meat (cubed)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, etc.)
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 beef stock cube
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 small loaves white bread (unsliced)

Method

• In a pot, heat oil and sauté onion and garlic until golden.
• Add beef cubes and brown well.
• Stir in curry powder, turmeric, and paprika.
• Add tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, stock cube, and 1 cup water.
• Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes, until beef is tender.
• Add potatoes and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add mixed vegetables and cook until all are soft and stew is thick.
• Season with salt and pepper.

To serve: Cut each bread loaf in half, hollow out the centre, and fill with hot beef stew. Serve with the removed bread for dipping.